Although there exist specific devices such as MAG for IPTV service, it is not necessary for the customers to buy a hardware device since there are various apps and software which could be utilized to play IPTV.
There are several ways in which IPTV streams can be watched based on IPTV hardware and these are categorized into
- Smart TV
- Setup boxes
- Personal computer
- Smartphones
- Gaming consoles
The first thing you need to consider is the operating system of your device. Then look for the best Application on that operating system. For example: If you have an Android-based device on you can use the Perfect player App on Android or download the latest version of Kodi on Android.
Smart TV (Android OS, Samsung, LG, Philips, Panasonic, Insignia, Sharp, TCL, Hisense, Westinghouse, Toshiba, Vizio)
Smart TVs are growing very popular nowadays and you can at least find one in every home. In order to install IPTV on a Smart TV, there are several ways which we will be going to mention in this section. The most popular way is by downloading an application called SIPTV App (Smart IPTV App) on your TV and uploading your M3U playlist with your TV Mac address on SIPTV website. How to setup IPTV on Smart TV via Smart IPTV App(SIPTV)?
Please note, SIPTV is supported on all the Smart TV's available in the market.
Advantages of Smart TV
The main advantage of a smart TV is access to a high number of channels that offer TV programs, movies, and music without the requirement to connect a TV antenna or subscribe to a cable/satellite service. Furthermore, some smart TVs present web browsing, gaming, and access to compatible media content saved on your computer or hard drive.
Another great method for streaming IPTV channels on your Smart TV is by using Kodi. Kodi is not available directly on Smart TVs, however, you can sideload Kodi to your TV if your device supports the Android operating system. Kodi on Smart TV.
Disadvantages of Smart TV
As with other devices that take you online there are concerns around security and there is a point some of the time. There have been problems, but work is being taken out to reduce this. In the future, it may be the fact that Firewalls will defend TVs as well. There are also concerns about the stealing of data and damage of privacy and most worryingly the camera and sound devices taking pictures and recordings of what is occurring in the room. Facial recognition has also been reduced as a danger to security.
Setup boxes(MAG, Enigma2, FireTV, Roku, Android box, AppleTV)
STB stands for Set-up Box is a device that turns the input signals to the one that can be displayed on a TV screen or other devices. STB also called Set-up Unit (STU) are common tools to watch IPTV, cable TV, and satellite TV. A set top box or recognized as STB is a device including a tuner in it which captures an external source of the signal and delivers to the television set for a high-quality picture. The set-top box is required to maintain receiving the signals in the digital format. What is STB?
Advantages of setup boxes
Below is a short demonstration of the advantages that setup boxes offer.
- The quantity of channels extends to a great amount.
- A large enhancement in picture quality when utilizing the set-top box.
- All kinds of troubles in watching channels will be reduced.
- IPTV providers will be able to offer HD quality which is one of the most important uses of the set-top box.
- The big switch on the small screen with the use of a set top box. It will bring on the digital revolution.
Disadvantages of setup boxes
- Free to air channels will also not be available without the set-top box.
- It will be mandatory to have the set top box and this will add an extra expense.
Android setup boxes
By using an Android box such as Amazon FireTV, you can connect to Google Play Store and download thousands of Android games and play those games on your TV. The best setup box for having both IPTV channels and playing Android games is Nvidia Shield which also comes with a Gamepad or a controller which makes it easier to play android games. What is an Android box?
Advantages of Android setup boxes
The features of an Android box are the number-one purpose why people purchase them. In extension to being capable to view the high-definition video on your TV, Android boxes enable users to surf the web, use more than 500,000 apps and games directly on their TV without having to have a supplementary game console.
The social network perspective of having an Android box is another attractive feature. Users can, for instance, share compelling websites and news stories directly from the TV, check email, chat online through different services, and more. Android boxes alter the way we use our TVs. The advantage of being able to utilize the internet from the TV is a very attractive innovation.
Disadvantages of Android setup boxes
Regarding the case that an Android TV Box uses an Operating System, this state doesn’t have any restriction in producing informative and entertainment solutions. The true cause for this could be that the Main System utilized by these boxes is immediately possible to 3rd party developers. This makes the tv box to be a low-priced approach to try a broad category of unlimited information and entertainment as developers simply need to pay to enable them to use the Android operating system.
There are lots of applications available on Android and many of them work great, however, we suggest Perfect Player and we believe this is the most complete and reliable way for watching IPTV channels on your setup box. How to setup IPTV on Perfect player Android?
Amazon Fire TV
The best Application for setting up IPTV on Fire TV is Kodi. Kodi is one of the most used Apps for streaming live TV channels and is one of the pre-loaded applications that comes with this set-up box.
Advantages of Amazon FireTV
It’s difficult to get past the affordable price tag of the Amazon Fire TV Stick. You can use your voice to do things like “Play Walking Dead” or even “Find me a good horror movie". The foremost purpose people purchase the Amazon Fire TV Stick,of course, is to get access to the greatest streaming content IPTV has to offer.
Disadvantages of Amazon FireTV
It might be understandable, but you’re not going to get the equivalent type of functionality in a stick as you are going to get with a full set-top box like Apple TV or even the Amazon Fire TV. Thus, if you’re a hard-core gamer or a film purist, you might look at what the Amazon Fire TV gives in terms of a higher-performance streaming experience. Furthermore, the Amazon Fire TV comes with the capability to plug into the Ethernet, giving it a big boost on the Amazon Fire TV Stick, which is still limited to Wi-Fi only.
Apple setup boxes
Very similar to Android setup boxes, these devices are also compatible with watching IPTV channels and also downloading iOS based video games from the Apple store. Apple TV is one the best places for watching IPTV channels on your TV. Apple TV is a powerful media device that is used for streaming media contents including the live stream.
There are found generation of Apple TV and the latest one, 4th generation, is most favored one. This device is also compatible with KODI media player and you can install IPTV channels on Kodi while using your Apple TV.
Apple TV is a powerful media device that is used for streaming media contents including the live stream. It supports HDMI port, equipped with an infrared-based remote control and can be connected to the Internet via WiFi. Besides, users can stream media content from AirPlay or iTune. You can install IPTV on Apple TV via IP Television App.
Advantages of Apple TV setup boxes
Apple TV changes your normal TV into a Smart TV. 4K TVs are still very expensive, so Apple TV is an excellent choice for users on a budget. It provides unlimited content streaming from iTunes and other important streaming content providers.
Access a broad range of games in great HD quality. The Apple 4K has a compelling processor that competes with some laptops and can manage most heavy games on your TV.
Siri voice abilities allow the users to control the TV through voice. By voice commands, you can demand particular content and Siri will show them to you.
The Apple App Store has a range of apps that users can access through Apple TV. They include photo sharing, social media, shopping, workout, and weather apps.
Disadvantages of Apple TV setup boxes
Unlike other competitors like Roku and Chromecast, Apple TV lacks a USB port offering little support for audio and video. Apple does not provide processor upgrades for its streaming device once you buy it, you are stuck with it until another upgrade is launched.
MAG setup boxes
MAG is by far the best device for streaming IPTV channels. Infomir produces Set-Top Boxes following the brand name MAG. These Set-Top Boxes are multi-functional devices that allow you to quickly organize your media contents and use IPTV services.
These MAG Set-Top Boxes are implemented with super-powerful hardware that guarantees fabulous performance while running applications and IPTV streams. How to setup IPTV on a MAG device?
Advantages of MAG setup boxes
Easy to setup compared to other IPTV setup boxes. All you need to do is to register your device mac address which you can find on the backside of your MAG box to your IPTV line and add the portal address which you can ask from your IPTV provider to your MAG box in just a few minutes. After adding the portal address, there is no need to add an extra link for EPG or Picons since all the data you need will be received through the portal address you added to your device. What is EPG?
Disadvantages of MAG setup boxes
Comparing to IPTV setup boxes such as Amazon FireTV stick which has an Android Operating system attached to it, you can't install video games or applications on your device since MAG comes with an embedded operating system that's been created by infomir.
Enigma2 setup boxes
Enigma2 software was originally developed by Dream Multimedia. Enigma2 is a successful open source based firmware platform for set-top boxes and it is utilized by a number of different set-top box manufacturers, including the most generally known Dreambox.
Although installing IPTV channels on an Enigma2 based device is a little more complex compared to the other mentioned setup boxes in this article, you can use a known plugin called XtreamTV Plugin which makes installing IPTV channels on your setup box way more simpler. Setup IPTV using XtreamTV plugin in Enigma 2.
Advantages of Enigma2 setup boxes
The important features of Linux based receivers are that they have a PowerPC processor which enables the firmware to be enhanced by the user (as it is dramatically a Linux based computer than a patched receiver). An ethernet port which enables entrance of IPTV, online 7-Day EPG and networked file-sharing services. Enigma2 usually appears with a CAM (Conditional Access Module) to enable a smart card to be implanted to provide access to encrypted channels.
Disadvantages of Enigma2 setup boxes
Enigma2 based setup boxes are a little harder to setup up comparing to MAG or Android-based setup boxes and it takes a little more time to adjust. Having EPG on Enigma2 is a little tricky and some of the users don't even know that they can install EPG on enigma2 and just give up on it. Enigma2 receivers are usually weaker in terms of hardware compared to other setup boxes.
Roku
Roku is a Media Streaming Box by which users can easily stream and watch movie, music, TV series on their TV screens. It can be connected to the Internet by both WiFi or Ethernet cable. Since Roku streams the videos in full HD quality, it demands a strong Internet connection. How much Internet data do I need to run IPTV?
It worth mentioning that the latest version, Roku4 has the ability to supports 4K quality streams. Accordingly, for those customers who have 4K TVs, the Roku would be the best choice. How to watch IPTV on Roku?
Advantages of Roku setup boxes
Roku has the most channels out of all of the mainstream set-top boxes available on the market and has voice search feature, and will search multiple services (unlike Amazon Fire TV, which only searches Amazon) You can connect your headphone output in remote control and installing IPTV channels on Roku is very easy and simple to use. Roku is one of the inexpensive types of streaming device, Roku streaming devices are easily affordable. The Roku App allows us to control your TV using any device.
Disadvantages of Roku setup boxes
Roku does not support YouTube, and still, cannot be forecast in the future which is a big disappointment for this amazing setup box.
Personal Computers (Laptop and PC using Windows, Linux, Macintosh)
One of the easiest and fastest ways for streaming IPTV channels is by using a computer such as a laptop or pc (desktop computers) that has a Windows OS or Macintosh and Linux.
The most commonly used Application on these mentioned operating systems is the VLC media player. VLC offers the best solution for IPTV usage and is compatible with most of the hardware and operating systems. How to setup IPTV on VLC.
Advantages of watching IPTV on PC or Laptops
In addition to streaming service, PCs can be set up to use digital downloaded media as well as playback DVD and Blu-ray if you have the appropriate hardware. The best part is that the computer can also be a hub for digital content. You can also take your Laptop with you anywhere you want and watch live streams with a simple internet connection. This way you never miss a TV show or a big sports event.
Disadvantages of watching IPTV on PC or Laptops
The big downside for using a PC for a home streaming and entertainment center is how hard it can be to move between services. The biggest restriction for most people is, of course, going to be the cost.
Smartphones and Tablets(Android, iOS, Windows phone)
Smartphones and tablets are everywhere and play a major rule in our life. One great thing about having IPTV channels on your Smartphone is that you can have all the channels you need anywhere, anytime. This means that you never miss a big sports event or a TV series that you can't miss. Based on your operating system, you can select different types of apps. How to setup IPTV on iOS using GSE IPTV App?
The most commonly used apps are Perfect Player and GSE app on both Android and iOS. How to setup IPTV on Perfect player Android?
Advantages of watching IPTV on Smartphones
The main advantage is, of course, the portability of smartphones. With the power of 4G networks and a simple M3U subscription, you will never miss a big sports event or a TV series while you are away from home.
Disadvantages of watching IPTV on Smartphones
The main downside is the screen size. While you get used to watching TV on your big fancy screen at home, watching IPTV on a small sized screen can be a little disappointing.
Gaming Consoles(PS4 and Xbox One)
The last but not least platform for using IPTV channels is your gaming console. IPTV on Xbox and PS4 makes these wonderful devices to a complete entertainment unit. In order to have IPTV channels on your Xbox One, you can download Kodi from Xbox Live store which is a great addition to Xbox. How to setup IPTV on Xbox One using Kodi?
On the other hand, having IPTV channels on PS4 is little complicated comparing to IPTV on Xbox one. On PS4 you must use a screencasting application called "Plex" and this application must be open at all time while you are using IPTV channels on your PS4. How to setup IPTV on PS4?
Advantages of watching IPTV on Gaming Consoles
The main advantage of having IPTV on your video game console is that after adding the channels, your Xbox One or PS4 turns into a complete package of all the entertainment you need. The other main advantage is that the community of video game console owners is very big and when you came across an issue, you can easily request help in major online forums and discussion threads.
Disadvantages of watching IPTV on Gaming Consoles
The only disadvantage we could find is that PS4 itself doesn't support a streaming app such as Kodi(unlike Xbox One) and in order to watch IPTV on PS4, you must use Plex at all times.
Conclusion
There you have it. We tried to explain all the five main devices for IPTV streaming in a comprehensive article. If you think we missed out on anything else, feel free to discuss it with us in the comments section down below. Thank you.
